The Champ Car World Series has imposed penalties to 2003 series champion Paul Tracy for his actions at Sunday’s Grand Prix of Denver Sponsored by Bridgestone.
Tracy’s on-track actions in Denver were determined to be in violation of his probation, which was a part of his penalty for his actions during the Champ Car event in San Jose July 30.
As a result, Tracy will forfeit three (3) championship points, will be fined $25,000 and will have his probation extended for one more race. The original probation was for three races, and will now be extended to include the Lexmark Indy 300 in Surfers Paradise, Australia.
[Champ Car]
- Champ Car to Review San Jose Pit Lane Incident Between Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani
- Champ Car Hands Down Penalties to Tracy, Tagliani, Legge
- Champ Car’s Tracy in line to run Busch race at Montreal for RCR
- IndyCar driver Tracy to drive in upcoming truck race
- Paul Tracy to stay committed to Champ Car
Sorry, but this is a total slap on the wrist to a driver who clearly needs to be sat down for at least a race and he won’t be because his team owner owns part of Champ Car.
This is disappointing and demonstrates a credibility issue here in our opinion.
Editor
Forsythe Championship Racing Statement Regarding Denver Penalties:
Indianapolis, Indiana – Tuesday, August 15, 2006 – Following a penalty imposed by the Champ Car World Series to Paul Tracy (#3 INDECK Ford-Cosworth/Bridgestone/Lola) because of a last lap incident at the Grand Prix of Denver, Forsythe Championship Racing issues the following statement:
Neil Micklewright
Vice President of Team Operations
”I believe that the penalty imposed to Paul Tracy for the last lap incident is simply wrong and not appropriate, but we have to accept the decision of the Series even if we don’t agree with it. That’s the nature of the sport. We eagerly await the penalty that we believe should be handed to Sebastien Bourdais for his part in the incident, including running across a “hot” track and initiating physical contact with our driver.”
“Having been taken out in the first corner, PT drove an incredible and heroic race to regain second place and nursed the car which was having fuel pickup problems whilst remaining fast. It was the drive of a champion and therefore to not finish the race was crushing for all of us. Both crews had an exemplary weekend; it was a great shame for Paul and the #3 crew, but what a fantastic performance by A.J. Allmendinger and his #7 crew to dominate and collect a win in his home town.”
I think all major racing series know that their drivers are their biggest assets, and granted Tracy is a loose cannon, but his actions are what ChampCar needs, less European wussy-ness and more North American, “I’ll kick your ass”-ness.
Agreed! Paul Tracy has passed his sell-by-date.
This ain’t NASCAR, brothers. Tracy fried his case when he made it about him in the post race interview. People shouldn’t pass him because he’s Paul Tracy and may crash them? Are you kidding? Racing has rules, like all valid sports and he broke them.
That prematurely grey windbag needs to be parked for at least a race. His elimination of Frenchie was about as egregious as they come - Bourdais was already past.
Like Evander Holyfield coming back to fight, Wall Tracy risks getting what every athelete dreads: pity.
The penalty was a mere “tsk tsk, don’t do it again” warning to Tracy. Forshame, Champ Car! He knew he couldn’t make the corner without more braking and he in effect intentionally crashed Bourdais. And, then he admitted it in the post-game interview! What more did the officials need??
YAY GO AJ!!! What a teammate PT is, taking out Seabass so that AJ can catch up in the points!